Vocations

Welcome to the Vocations page of Plymouth Diocese website!

Each of us has been created by God with a purpose in mind. To discover that purpose and to live by it is the key to real happiness.

Through our baptism we all have a vocation to be missionary disciples. Within that vocation, each of us has a specific and unique vocation. For some this will be Priesthood. This is a vital call in our Church because a priest is ordained to be a sign and instrument of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, for his people and to feed them most especially with the Bread of Life in the Mass. For others, the call may be to marriage, the consecrated single life, to a life in community or the permanent diaconate.In our Diocese we have three men in formation for priesthood. Two men are now over halfway through their formation at the Venerable English College in Rome. One man (pictured) has recently begun formation at Allen Hall in London. Of course, we need more! Many more!

If YOU think the Lord may be stirring something in your heart, however vague that may be, the best place to start is probably having a chat with a local priest or contact the Vocations Director.

The Lord calls in many different ways, sometimes in a clear call, sometimes it is the circumstances of your life, sometimes through something someone has said to you, sometimes because you have run out of excuses!

A call to the Priesthood can come at a young age or much later in life but try as you may, it won’t go away. The Church looks for certain qualities in a man who feel called to Priesthood. Basically, these are simple• Faithfully living a day-to-day life as a member of the Church• Being a man of prayer, love for the Eucharist and the sacrament of reconciliation• Love for God and a desire to serve Him in the Church• A desire to celebrate Mass and the other sacraments• An ability to relate well to others• An openness to formation• A love for the Church• Willingness to embrace a celibate way of lifeParishioners – what can we do?Please pray for vocations to the priesthood and do all you can to encourage vocations…How about……praying for those men in formation for the Diocese (James Barber, Michael vian Clark & Andrew Marlborough)…having Eucharistic Adoration for vocations in your parish?…pray either alone or with others the rosary for vocations?…invite housebound parishioners to pray for vocations?…pray especially for someone in your parish who you feel might have a vocation (and maybe drop a gentle word in their ear)?…offer your Friday fast for vocations (or fast at another time)